Tempering machine



B. H, URSCHEL TEMPERING MACHINE June 14, 1938.

. Filed Feb. 28, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l Patented June 14, 1938 UNITED STATES P-A 'l E' -N-T oEFlcE-i Application February 28, 1936, Serial N0.-66,313

17 Claims.-

My invention has for its object to provide. a tempering machine for-shaping and tempering.

articles formed .of steel. The invention-provides means for locating parts inpredetermined relation to each otherandin shapingrpartsof steel articles in advance of the cooling operation in.

the tempering of: the article.

The invention-also has for its object toprovide relatively movable engaging :membe'rs to permit contraction of the parts of the article as it is cooled -to a predetermined degree while maintaining the parts in definite predetermined positions 'and thus prevent distortion of parts,

onerelative to-the other, and produce in the finished articlethe same exact dimensionalxrelations and locations of the parts.

The invention-particularly relates to 'a machine for: tempering axle housingsrcommonly used for rotatably supporting the driving wheels of motor driven vehicles.-

The invention provides axplurality of engaging members for engaging portions of. the differential'gear housing part to produce fixeddiametric dimensionsof the-housing and to :clamp it in .position'with reference to the axis of .thezaxlehousing and thepoi-nts-of'connectionof theaxlehouse ingto the vehicleysuch as -therspring pads;s.or bearing parts,;orwsuch other-parts .as may be desired.

The invention consists of other features which will appear from: fthe following description and upon examination of'sthedrawings. Structures containing my invention. may partake of different formsand may be varied in. their detailsand":

still embody the. invention. To illustrate a practical application of the invention,: I 'have'selecte'd a tempering-machine as anexample of the various. structures that "contain the invention and shall describe: the selected str-ucture hereinafter;

it being r understood that certain :features of my invention maybe usedto advantage without: a

corresponding use of :other features and without departing from the spirit of the invention as ore-- sented in-the claims;- The particular structure selected is-shown-in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. l is' aside view of the machine for tern-'- pering an axle of the typecommonly referred to as therear axle housing of an automotive vehicle. Fig. 2 is a viewof i a vertical sectionof-atoggle lever for controlling radial dimensions of the gear housing of the axle taken on the planeof the line 2+1 indicated 'in Fig: 1." Fig. 3 illustrates? a; similar sectionaofra modified formgof. togglellever. Figr 4 illustrates-an end "view: ofparts of: a. pair.

5.; oi-gate valves for; openingcand"tlosin iitheacool,

in-gfiuidpassageways inzthe machine. Fig. 5 is a view of a vertical section through a part ofthe machine takenin the plane. of the line 5--5 indicatedin Fig. 1. Fig-"6 illustrates a vertical se tion ofa part of :the toggle means taken on the I plane of the-line: S-FG-indicated in Fig.2. Fig. '7 illustrates avertical-section of the expanding dies taken on thexplane ottheline lindicated in Fig.3. Fig; 8 'is a view of a section takenron the planes of thebrokenline 88 indicated in Fig. '7.

Fig-9 is a top-view of the machine. Fig. 10 illustrates a section -ofthe trough taken onthe line lll--l01indicated-in Figs 9. Fig. 11 illustrates a clamping -=means i-.for --clamping the: spring I pads and-theparts to whichwthey are connected. Fig.

12 illustrates a part of :the. clamping. means used for-clamping the ends. of. the. axle housing.

In zthe=form of tempering 'machineuselected as an exampleofmy-invention, .a troughorother' shaped receptacle! is=suitably supported on legs Zand is providedjwitha flaring ledge 3 extending along upper 'side edgest ofi the trough. The interior portions of rthe" ledges are cut to form guide-ways 4-:in which movable cradles --or sup I porting members -6 and i are slidably located. The. axle housings 5 -are-sequentia'lly placed-in: the supports 'or cradles and clamped in position preparatory to the tempering; operation. The slidablesupportingmembers Band 1 have suitable dies-8 and .9 conforming to parts of the axle hous- 30? ing 5; The supporting members 6-and'1 are preferably formed Usha=pe-.-and are provided with laterally extending flanges that are shaped to substantially fit the guide-ways 4. The members Band I are of-considerable-length and may be providedwith'suitablereinforcing wings l2 andweb' parts. l3 to. give stability and strength.

The clamping {means for clamping the axle housing are-carried by the members li and 'l and are movable therewith. Theclamping means are preferably pneumatically actuated bymeans of cylinders connected through suitable valves to a, source of supply ofair underpressure. Springs: H: are located intermediate therblocksl'l and .the

flanges II. The springs press the flanges Iof' 45; the members 6 and 1 against the blocks M. The blocks I4 -and:*|'l are secured toguide plates!!! by the bolts 19m As the axle-housing contracts. when cooled; the members 6-.and 1 freely slide in the guide-ways 4 and prevent distortion of the cylindricityof the housing: The springsli are-light-Weight springs but have suflicient pressure to return the members to the blocks M. The: springs l 5 'and sthe-blocksxl 4 ::thus dispose the clamping:dies.-inxthegsameaaposition 'for receiving.

each heated housing, when the previously chilled housing is released from the members.

The supporting members 6 are provided with the cylinders I6. The cylinders are supported by bosses I8 through which piston rods 2| slidably extend and diagonally move with respect to the trough. The bosses I8 are located near one of the upper corners of each of the slidable members 6 and are operated by air pressure directed from the source of supply of air under pressure to the cylinders l6. The ends of the piston rods 2| are provided with suitable dies 26 having semicylindrical recesses 21 and operate to clamp the ends of the axle housing against the dies 9 that also having semi-cylindrical concave recesses located in opposed relation to the recesses 21 formed in the dies 26. By reason of the diagonal movement of the die 26 with reference to the trough and toward the die 9, the parts of the die 9 are formed substantially at right angles in outline. The ends of the housing are thus forced into definite aligned positions relative to each other and to the gear housing.

The spring pads 4| of the axle housing are clamped in position by means of the pneumatic pressure exerted in the cylinders 28 that are secured to hinged plates 3| pivotally connected to the supporting members 1 by the pins 32. The cylinders 28 and the plates 3| are secured in position by the dogs 33 pivotally supported on the members 1 by the pins 34 and are springpressed by the springs 36. Suitable dies 31 are supported on the ends of the piston rods 38 and clamp the tops of the spring pads 4| against the dies 8. The dies 8 are provided with recesses 42 'having semi-cylindrical surfaces in which the parts of the axle housing located below the pads 4| may be placed. The dies 8 and 31 also locate the parts clamped thereby in definite aligned relation withrespect to the axle housing.

The axle housing 5 is provided with a gear housing 45 having a cylindrical part 46. The cylindrical part 46 has open ends. The edges of the open ends are inturned to form the flange parts 41. The gear housing part is placed over a head 5| having a plurality of expanding dies 52. The dies are carried by the expanding elements 53 which are supported upon a base part 56 located on the bottom of the trough I. The base part 56 is provided with a plurality of recesses 51 in which are located the studs 58 that are threaded into depending lugs 6| extending from the lower sides of the expanding elements 53 into the recesses 51. The expanding elements are slidably supported on the upper surface of the base part 56. Springs 62 are located intermediate the lugs 6| and outer end wall parts of the recesses 51. The springs 62 yieldingly resist outward movements of the elements 53 and cause the return of the elements to the central part of the expanding head 5| when the elements are released. Each expanding element 53 is provided with a concave surface 63 preferably conical to produce large bearing areas, and a cone-shaped wedge member 66 extends within the cavity formed by the assembled expanding elements 53. The conical member 66 substantially conforms to the frustum of a cone and is provided with surfaces that correspond to the surfaces of the assembled expanding elements whereby, upon downward movement of the conical member 66,-

the expanding elements will be moved radially outward.

A plate 61 is secured by means of the bolts 68 to the top of the conical member. The base part 56 of the head is provided with a central hollow pedestal 10, and the conical member 66 is centrally bored as at H. A sprin 12 extends through the pedestal and is located intermediate the bottom of the trough, or other part located thereon, and the plate 61. The spring 12 operates to raise the conical member 66 after its depression to spread the expanding elements 53. The upper end of the pedestal may be provided with a suitable shoulder 13 and a key 14 that may be secured in position against the shoulder by a ring 16 bolted by means of the bolts 18 to the pedestal. One side of the bore 1| is provided with a key-way 8| in which the key 14 is located. The key-way 8| terminates near the lower end of the conical member 66, and the key 14 engages the end of the key-way 8| and forms a limiting stop for the outward movement of the conical member 66 by the pressure of the spring 12.

When the conical member 66 is depressed, it operates against the concave surfaces 63 to move the dies 52 outwardly with respect to the axis of the expanding head 5|. The outer surfaces of the dies 52 have cylindrical sector surfaces that engage the housing of the axle. In the form of axle illustrated in the drawings, the dies 52 engage the fianges 41 to cylindrically expand the housing. The dies 52 are provided with flange parts 83 on which the housing is supported, and, in advance of chilling the axle, the upper side or part of the housing is engaged by a clamping cap 86 to press the housing against the flange parts 83 of the dies 52. The upper surfaces of the flanges 83 of the dies 52 are located in a definite relation with respect to the dies 8 and 9 of the supporting members 6 and 1 and when the gear housing part has been expanded by the dies 52, it is engaged by the edge of the cap 86 that clamps the housing against the flanges of the dies. The dies 52 and the clamping cap may be operated by a. suitable cylinder.

In the particular structure shown, the central part of the cap 86 is adjustably connected to a sleeve 81 by means of the nuts 88. The sleeve 81 is connected to a piston 9| movable in the cylinder 92. The cylinder 92 may be supported by means of the bracket 90, that is bolted to the trough I. The cylinder 92 is connected to a source of supply of air under pressure by means of suitable pipes, and pressures are controlled by suitable valves to produce reciprocatory movements of the piston and the sleeve 81. The sleeve 81 extends through the piston and the heads of the cylinder 92, and its upper end is connected to a yoke 93. A toggle 96 is connected to the upper end of the yoke 93 by the bolt 91. The toggle is formed of the links 98 and I0'I. The link |0| is connected to the link 98 by means of the studs I02 that form the joint of the toggle. The link IIJI is connected to a block I03 by means of the studs I66. A rod I81 having a threaded portion I98 is connected to the block I113. The rod I01 extends through the sleeve 81 and engages the center part of the plate 61 and is adapted to depress the cone 66 to move the expanding elements 53 and the dies 52 outwardly and .cause distension and cylindrical formation of the housing 45. The toggle of the form shown in Fig. 2 has a knife-blade or knee joint. The link |0| has a cross piece 94, while the link 98 has a substantial square corner part 95 on one side and a cylindrically formed corner part I00 on the other side. The cylindrical surface of the part I88 centers in the axis of the joint of the toggle and enables breaking of the toggle in one direcpiece-94 and operates to hold thetoggleextended when thecenter of the joint is slightly to one side of the center line between the bolt 91 and the studs-I06. The arm I II afiords'a means to break the toggle by movement of the link 98 towards the right in the form shown in Fig. 2. The yoke 93 is provided with an adjustable stopscrew IEM located in a cross piece Hi5 that adjustably limits the extent of the break. When the housing of theheated axle has been placed in position on the expanding dies, the piston SI descends, and

the rod- 81 engages the plate 6?, depressesthe cone 66, and causes the dies 52to expand the housing to the limit determined by'the adjustment of the cap86 with reference to the rod Iil'i'when' the cap 86 engages the top of the housing; The

gearhousing part has thus been expanded to a predetermined extent while hot. The toggle lever isthen'broken, and the dies 52 are released, as limited by the stop IG L'and moved inward, and the cap'86 is clamped against the gear housing part, and the gear housing part against the flanges 83 of the dies. flooded with the-cooling fluid and contracts. 1 The pressures in the cylinders may then be reversed which will release the axle from the dies, and

the axle maybe removed. The cooling oil may.

then be withdrawn from the trough and the toggle straightened anda heated axle inserted in position in the trough. Thus, the, axle housings may be rapidly heat-treated. The-gear housings of the axle will have fixed diametrical dimensions; and the main supporting and bearing parts will have the same aligning relation.

If desired, the knee joint of the toggle shown in- Fig. 2 may be omitted, and a relatively lightweight sprin-g-I I3 may be used, as shown inFig.

3, to hold the joint in position for the-expansionof the housing when hot. The spring, though light in weight, will, by reason of the great mechanical advantage by its toggle engagement, hold the-links approximately at the line of centers of the toggle, so that when the piston SI descends, the housing will beexpanded. The arm I I I may then be lowered to break-the toggle against the pressure of the spring II3 and-reduce its mechanical advantage to a desired extent and enable the clamping of the housing by the cap. The contracting pressure of the cooling metal onthe dies, although yieldingly resisted by the spring H3, will eventually move the toggle to the limit set by an-adjusting stop screw I 2! which determines the finally formed diameter of the hous of the spring against the toggle lever may thus be adjusted. The sleeve H8 threaded, and a stop screw I2! the sleeve and consequently is also-adjustable is also interiorly with respect to the toggle lever. The stop screw- .I2I is located in position to be engaged by the lug H5 at a point to which it is desired to limit the inward movement of the dies 52 bythecontraction of the gear housing part l5, and consequently operates to limit the contraction of the gear housing part to a definite diameter. Fin- The axle housing is then is located within gers 'I 2 2 and d 23 maybe connected to thethread-t ed sleeve "I I-8 and the stop screw I2I for=conven== ient manipulation of the sleeve and :the stop screw 'to-produce-the desired adjustments.

In "thempera'tionof the machine; the axle is heatedto a temperature above the critical temperature, in the manner well known in the art; and" is: immediatelyplaced in "position on the: dies 8, 9, and: 52. The cylinders 28 are thrown into position and the 1 cylinders I 6 and: 28' lareconnected with a source of supplyof fluid under pressure through suitable valves, whereby 1 the axle is clamped by the 'dies 8 and '31, and and 26. thusibe maintained :in a defined relation with respect' to :the clamped parts of the axle when submerged iniax. liquid and heat treated.- The gear housing. part1 is then 'expanded "to a definite sizeextending ::along the bottom and substantially:

the lengthsof the trough. The aconduit'communicates'withthe interior of the trough through.-

apluralityof. openings I21 that may be located at 'spaced points in order to introduce and distribute :thea cooling :fiuid::throughout "the" trough' and enable rapid flooding or submergence of'the entire? axle 'at substantially the same instant The iconduit I26 ':is connected "to" one or' more reservoirs, :such as the reservoir I 28,: by..the pipes I 31". Suitable valves I32' may be located atthe' inlets I3I} of the conduit" I26 "for controlling :therfiow of the fluid from the reservoir I28'"to the .trough'through the pipes I3I. Also, the conduit I33', and ap'an'or'other receptacle I34 may be located beneath the outlets I33 to receive oil from the :trough upon the completionof the tempering' operation. One or more valves I35 may be located in position to close the outlets" I33 in ad vance of opening of the inlets I3B to direct'the.

oil from the-reservoir I28into the trough. The valves I32 may be closed, and the valves I35 maybe opened to allow the oil to flow into the receptacle I34 upon the completion of the tem-. The oil rnaybe drawn from' thepanI34and directed into the pipes. I3I by pering operation.

means of a suitable pump I38, andthe reservoir I28- may thus be recharged preparatory to the- The gate valves. may be connected to rods I36 and I3! supported succeeding tempering operation.

insuitable -bearing partsand may be operated byx-rotation-of-the rods. The rods I36and 13'! may be connected together by the gears I39 and Mdthat interrnesh and'cause oscillatory movements of-thervalves I32 and I35. If desired, one of-the rods, "such as the rodI3'I, may be con n'ected-to a-pedal lever 'I4I. The-pedal lever I4I-may be-=spring-pressed, as by thetensionspring: I42,-to cause the return of the pedal lever when released-andafter its depression and re- The parts of the axle and its housingarwill I26 may be provided with the outlets versetmovement of the valves. The oscillatory movement of therod I3'I producedby the pedal lever I 4! of-the -rod-I35 andsthe opening of-the valve I32 will cause the Opposite rctative movement when the valve I35 is closed and the closing of the valve I32 when the valve I35 is opened.

I claim:

1. In a tempering machine, a receptacle, means for flooding and withdrawing a cooling fluid from the receptacle, a plurality of movable members located in the receptacle, means for forcing the members radially against the work to expand the work While the work is hot, .and means for limiting the extent of return movement of the members to limit the contraction of the parts of the work engaged thereby as the work cools subsequent to the initial contractile movements of the parts.

2. In a tempering machine, a receptacle, means for flooding and withdrawing a cooling fluid from the receptacle, a plurality of members located in the receptacle and movable in different directions for engaging the Work, means for forcing the members against the Work, and a means for progressively decreasing the resistance to the countermovement of the members produced by the pressure of the work during the chilling of the article.

3. In a metal article shaping machine, a plurality of radially movable members for engaging parts of the article, means for engaging the radially movable members to radially move the members, a clamping member for clamping the said parts, an element connected to the clamping member, a second element sup-ported on and movable relative to the first named element for operating the said means, means for securing the first element relative to the second element at two points in their relativemovements forlimiting the movement of the second element relative to the first element to produce operation of the movable members to engage and move parts of the work while the metal is hot and for limiting the return movement of the movable members and the parts of the work as the metal cools.

4. In a tempering machine, a receptacle, means for flooding and withdrawing a cooling fluid from the receptacle, a clamping member for clamp ing the work and located in the receptacle, a plurality of radially movable members, a toggle connected to the clamping member for forcing the radially movable members against the work, and a spring for engaging the joint of the toggle for producing gradually decreasing pressure of the members against the work.

5. In a shaping machine, a plurality of movable members for shaping the work, a clamping member for clamping the work, a sleeve connected to the clamping member, a rod movable within the sleeve for operating the movable members, means for operating the sleeve to cause the said clamping member to exert a clamping action, and means interconnecting the sleeve and the rod for actuating the rod relative to the sleeve.

6. In a shaping machine, a plurality of members movable in different directions for shaping the work, a clamping member for clamping the work, a sleeve connected to the clamping member, a rod movable within the sleeve for operating the said plurality of movable members, means for operating the sleeve to cause the said clamping member to exert a clamping action, a toggle means'interconnecting the sleeve and the rod for actuating the rod, and means for adjusting the clamping member relative to the sleeve to adjust the extent of movement of the said plurality of movable members.

'7. In a tempering machine, a receptacle, means .for flooding and withdrawing a cooling fluid from the receptacle, a plurality of movable members located in the receptacle for shaping the work while the work is hot, a clamping member, a sleeve connected to the clamping member, a rod movable within the sleeve for operating the said plurality of movable members, means for operating the sleeve to cause the said clampingmember to exert a clamping action, a toggle means interconnecting the sleeve and the rod for actuating the rod, means for yieldingly resisting countermovement of the said movable member by the work as the work contracts during cooling, and a stop for limiting the movement of the toggle by the countermovement of the said movable members produced by the contraction of the work as it is cooled.

8. In a metal shaping machine, a plurality of movable members for engaging and moving parts of the work while the work is hot, means for forcing the members against the Work, means for limiting the extent of movement of the members each in one direction to limit the corresponding movement of the parts of the Work while hot and means for limiting the return movement of the said parts of the Work during contraction of the work and subsequent to the initial contractile movements of the parts of the work engaged by the members as the work chills.

9. In a metal shaping machine, a plurality of members movable each in different directions for engaging different parts of the Work while hot, a resilient means for resisting the movement of the members and the work as the metal chills, and means for limiting said movement to limit the contraction of the work and subsequent to the initial contractile movements of the parts of the work engaged by the members while chilling to form the article.

10. In a metal shaping machine, a plurality of movable members for engaging moving parts of the work while the work is hot, means for forcing the members against the work, means for limiting the extent of movement of the members eachin one direction to limit a corresponding movement of the parts of the work while hot, a resilient means for resisting the return movement of the said members as the parts of the work engaged by the members move during contraction of the work as the work chills.

11. In a tempering machine, a plurality of members located in the receptacle and movable in difi'erent directions for engaging the work, means for forcing the members against the work, and means for limiting the countermovement of the members produced by the pressure of the work and subsequent to the initial contractile movements of the parts of the work engaged by the members during the chilling of the article.

12. In a metal shaping machine, a plurality of movable members for engaging and moving parts of the Work while the Work is hot, means for forcing the members against the work, means for limiting the extent of movement of the members each in one direction to limit the corresponding movement of the parts of the work while hot, means for limiting the return movement of the said members upon contraction of the work and subsequent to the initial contractile movements of the parts of the work engaged by the members as the work chills, and a resilient mean-s for resisting the return movement of the said members until the said members engage the said limiting means.

13. In a metal article shaping machine, a plurality of radially movable members for engaging parts of the article, a clamping member, an element for moving the clamping member to clamp the said parts, a second element for moving the radially movable members, and means for limiting the extent of movement of the second named element for limiting the movement of the members while the metal is hot, and means for limiting the return movement of. the second named element to limit the return movement of the movable members and the parts of the work subsequent to the initial contractile movements of the parts of the work engaged by the members as the metal cools.

14. In a metal article shaping machine, a plurality of radially movable members for engaging the article, a clamping member, an element for moving the clamping member to clamp the said parts, a second element for moving the radially movable members, means for moving the elements to and from the article for clamping the said parts, means for limiting the extent ofv the movement of the said second element relative to the first named element for limiting the movement cf the members while the metal is hot and means for limiting the return movement of the second named element relative to the first named element to limit the return movement of the movable members and the parts of the work as the metal cools.

15. In a machine for shaping metal articles, a plurality of members, means for movably supporting the members, means for moving the movable members in different directions for engaging the work and forcing the members against the work, and means for progressively decreasing the resistance to the countermovement of the members produced by the pressure of the work during the chilling of the article.

16. In a machine for shaping metal articles, a plurality of members, means for movably supporting the members, means for moving the movable members in different directions for engaging the work and forcing the members against the work, means for progressively decreasing the resistance to the countermovement of the members produced by the pressure of the work during the chilling of the article, and means for positively limiting the return movement of the members during the contractile movements of the parts of the work to maintain a predetermined shape of the work as its temperature decreases subsequent to the engagement of the limiting means.

17. In a machine for shaping metal articles, a clamping member for clamping the work, a plurality of radially movable members, a toggle for forcing the movable members against the work, a spring for engaging the central joint of the toggle for yieldingly resisting the movement of the joint of the toggle to produce gradual decreasing pressure of the members against the work, and a limiting stop for engaging the joint of the toggle for limiting the return movement of the members subsequent to the initial contractile movement of the parts of the work engaged by the members for producing a predetermined shape of the work as the work further cools.

BERTIS H. URSCHEL. 

